Monday, August 29, 2022

Branch Hug




image from pinterest.com 

Branch Hug


“War, children,--it’s just a shot away.

If I don’t get some shelter,

I’ll just fade away” --The Rolling Stones.


When I walk in the forest, and it starts to rain,

I look at the trees. Pine, fir, and larch branches

start far from the ground. Cottonwood, poplar, and

maple branches grow close to the ground, providing

a dry shelter from the deluge.


I snuggle up next to a wide rough-barked trunk, and

cover myself in crisp dry leaves. I peer out through

the thick leaves and muscled branch forearms, 

looking at the rain, coming down in diagonal sheets

to the forest floor.


I close my eyes and dream of elves and owls who 

create a dwelling in the great trunks. I awaken to the 

trill of birds and the buzz of bees. Smiling, I shake off 

the fairy dust and step out into the magic of a sun

break.


The owl sleeps in a

tree during the day, waiting

joyfully for the night.



Glenn Buttkus


Haibun


Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub

14 comments:

JadeLi said...

Glenn, I love the turn, where you shake off the fairy dust. What a cozy shelter you nestled into, just like the owl in the image. I like how you make yourself so small here, among the towering giants.

Ron. Lavalette said...

I used to be a woods hiker, too, Glenn, but that was ages ago. Used to get pretty far out there, build a small fire, brew a cuppa before heading home. Hid under trees (& leaves) too, when the rains came. Thanks for sharing.

Gillena Cox said...

Nice one

Happy Monday

Much💖love

robkistner said...

Love this Glenn! You took me into my beloved natural forest setting — wonderful brother! 👍🏼 We’ve changed horses today my friend, I wrote a scene from a mystery. 🙂✌🏼❤️

Nitin said...

Excellent poem. Losing yourself to nature can be cathartic and peaceful.

Mish said...

Aww, you really captured the protective quality of Mother Nature. I see it. I feel it. We all need a little forest bathing and fairy dust.

Kim M. Russell said...

As soon as I read the title I thought of an owl – and there it was in your haibun, Glenn! I love woods, forests, trees in the rain, and you’ve conjured them in your words. Nothing better than snuggling up to a tree trunk; oh, to encounter elves and owls in there!

Merril D. Smith said...

Wow--this is something different from you, Glenn! I expected something political. 😏
I love the owls and fairy dust. Owls seem like some sort of magical creatures. I've only seen/heard them a few times around my house (not in the woods).

K.Hartless said...

A beautiful moment caught in a storm that turns magical. Love the musical beginning and the lyrical ending.

Bill said...

Well done, Glenn :-)

brudberg said...

I love the way you took it... so gentle and nice finding shelter among the trees.

ben Alexander said...

This is a magical, very enjoyable haiku, Glenn!

Yours,
David

Kerfe said...

Magic! the forest is filled with it.

purplepeninportland.com said...

I love that last stanza, Hank! I believe in fairy dust.